Duplex rail shift mechanism for line composing machines



L. M. POTTS Dec. 14, 1937.

DUPLEX RAIL SHIFT MECHANISM FOR LINE COMPOSING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 19, 1956 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. LOUIS M. POTTS ATTORN EY Dec. 14, 1937. 4 POTTS 2,102,127

DUPLEX RAIL SHIFT MECHANISM FOR LINE COMPOSING MACHINES Fild Aug. 19, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n7 P15. 7 v

INVENTOR LOUIS M. POTTS MW ATTORN Y Patented Dec. 14, 1937 PATET OFFIQE DUPLEX RAIL SHIFT MECHANISM FOR LINE COMPO SING MACHINES Louis M. Potts, Evanston, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Teletypesetter Corporation, s a corporation of Delaware Application August 19,

25 Claims.

This invention relates generally to typographical composing machines and more particularly to automatic control units for such machines.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of instrumentalities in an automatic control unit to enable the performance of certain auxiliary functions rapidly and efficiently.

A feature of the invention is the operation of the duplex rail for the assembly of the. matrices either in accordance with roman or bold-face type with a minimum of delay incomposition and thus an increase in the composition rate.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the arrangement of mechanism for the operation of. the duplex rail of the assembler elevator in timed relation to the operation of other instrumentalities of the control unit, without arresting or delaying appreciably the matrix release operations and assembly. Under such conditions of operation, selection and discharge of the matrices continues with regularity regardless of the level at which the matrices are to be assembled, and the duplex rail is moved at aninstant'intervening the reception into the assembly block of the last matrix to be assembled, for example, at the lower level, and the arrival thereat of the next succeeding matrix intended to be assembled at the higher level;

The transit time of each released matrix'from its point of release from the magazine until it is assembled in the assembler elevator coincides substantially with the time required to release several matrices. Accordingly, at the instant a rail shift signal is being sensed by a record reader, the matrix released by the signal sensed just prior to the signal identified with the rail shift operation and possibly several other matrices will be in transit toward the assembler elevator. If the rail shift operation occurred immediately after its signal was sensed, a condition would result wherein some of. the matrices identified with signals preceding the rail shift signal would not have completed their travel prior to the shifting of the duplex rail, and consequently would not be assembled in the elevator at the intended level. To overcome such possibility, it has been proposed to so time the operations that the movement of the rail will occur after the lapse of a measured time interval and between the proper ones of the two consecutive matrices to be assembled at the respective levels but without suspending matrix release operations during the tolling of the measured time interval.

1936, Serial No. 96,735

It is believed that the structure constituting the invention will be clearly understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention as applied to a particular form of control unit;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing thecontrol elements of the structure disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;-

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of. the structure disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of structure embodying the present invention as applied to a diiferent form of control unit;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of certain parts of the structure disclosed in Fig. 7 featuring an intermediate condition of operation; and i Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

As disclosed in Patent No. 2,057,652 issued October 13, 1936 to Louis M. Potts, the automatic control and operation of typographical machines is effected through the use of a control unit including a plurality of permutation bars operated in permuted arrangement in accordance with control indicia or perforations appearing in a previously formed strip or tape, which serve to control a plurality of selectable bars. The permutation bars are set permutably in accordance with the control indicia or perforations in the tape to select and control the operation of the selectable bars, there being a selectable bar individual to each of the several control functions of the typographical or linecasting machine. Included among such functions is the operation of the duplex rail in thev assembler elevator for determining the admission of the matriceseither in the roman or bold-face position. Control of the duplex rail in accordance with the dis closure of r the foregoing patent is effected through the operation of a pair of selectable members, following which the operation of the record reader, through which the permutation bars are operated, is arrested pending the completion of the operation of the duplex rail which must, in accordance with such disclosure, be delayed for a period sufficient to allow the discharge and the assembly of the matrices in accordance with selections occurring prior to the selection allocated to the duplex rail operation.

However, according to the present invention, the selection and operation of the selectable members continues uninterruptedly, notwithstandiing the fact that the assembler rail is shifted.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1, the assembler elevator is indicated generally by the reference numeral 12. Slidably mounted in the assembler elevator l2 under the tension of a spring I 3 which has one end secured to a spring post (not shown) carried by the elevator l2 and has the other end secured to an eyelet formed in a depending portion, is a duplex rail 54. When the duplex rail is in its extreme left-hand position as shown in Fig. 1, the matrices will be assembled at the lower level, whereas if the duplex rail I4 is in its extreme right-hand position, the matrices will be assembled thereon or at the upper level of assembly.

Pivoted to the frame of the elevator l2 at i5 is a lever l6 which has one end secured to a depending portion of the duplex rail l4 and which has its other end extended into the path of bar ll. Normally, lever I5 and bar I! are in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the duplex rail !4 in its retracted position as urged by the spring l3. Movement of duplex rail M to its other position is dependent upon the operation of bar H which has its free end formed as a cam surface so that upon its engagement with the free end of lever I6, the latter lever will be rocked clockwise to cause duplex rail l4 to move to the right. Thereupon, subsequently delivered matrices will be assembled at the upper level of assembly.

Secured to bar I! is a lever it which is pivoted at l8 and which carries intermediate its ends cam rollers 20 and 2|. Cooperating with the free end of pivoted lever I8 is a spring-urged jockey 22 which holds lever l8 in either of its two opera tive positions. Movement of lever l8 into either of its operative positions is effected through the selective rotation of earns 23 and 24, Figs. 4 and 5, driven by power communicated from a continuously rotated shaft 25 through a friction clutch individual to each of the cams 23 and 24.

In accordance with the specific construction disclosed in Fig. 1, a collar 26 is secured to shaft 25, and on opposite sides thereof are discs 2'! and 28 of friction material. In driving relation with respect to friction disc 2'! is a stop disc 29 arranged with a hub 30 which is free upon shaft 25. Secured to the hub or sleeve 39 of stop disc 29 are cams 23, 3|, and 32. Each of cams 23, 3i, and 32 is angularly adjustable in order to regulate the time of operation of the respective cams.

To augment the driving relation of the several cams upon the release of stop disc 29, an additional disc of friction material 33 is arranged in contact with the adjacent surface of cam 23. Power for driving disc 33 is communicated from shaft 25 through a collar 34 secured thereto and a collar 35 driven by collar 34 through a tongue and groove connection, A spring 36 is positioned between the flanges on collars 34 and 35 in a manner well known in-clutch construction.

In driving relation with friction disc 28 is a stop disc 31 which, like stop disc 29, has a hub or sleeve 38 on which is mounted cam'24 as well as cams 39 and 46. As was described in connection with cam 23, power is also communicated to cam '29 through a friction disc 4! in a manner similar to the construction described with reference to cam 23. 1

With the construction described above, when either stop disc 29 or 31 is released, the cams associated therewith will be driven by power communicated from shaft 25 through the friction discs 21, 33, 28, and M, depending upon which of the stop discs is released for rotation.

The release of the stop discs for rotation is controlled by a selectable bar 43 or 44 individual thereto. As disclosed, selectable bar 43 is individual to stop disc 31 and selectable bar 44 is individual to stop disc 29. When either of these selectable bars is operated, the stop disc individual thereto will be released to make one complete revolution and the cams associated therewith Will be rotated to perform their respective functions. After each revolution, the stop disc and the cams are arrested.

Referring now to Fig. 2, selectable bars 43 and 44 each are arranged to be selected for operation through the permuted setting of a plurality of permutation bars 46 in the manner more fully and comprehensively described in the foregoing patent. Upon an assigned setting of the permutation bars 46, selectable bar 43 will be selected due to the alignment of the notches in the permutation bars 46 and will be operated to actuate, through a pin 48 secured thereto against the action of a spring 49, a bell crank lever 59. Bell crank lever 50 is normally held by its spring 49 to cause its end 5| to lie in the path of stop shoulder 52 formed in stop disc Bland thus hold the stop disc and its associated cams against rotation. However, the projection 5| is moved free of shoulder 52 on stop cam 3'! due to the movement of selectable bar 43 upon the rotation of release bail 53 which normally prevents the selectable bar 43 from responding to its spring 54. Under such circumstance, when bail 53 is rotated to free selectable bar 43, spring 54, which is of sufiicient tension to overcome the action of spring 49, will move selectable bar 43 to cause pin 48 to rotate bell crank lever 50. The disc 31 and its associated cams will thus be rotated by power communicated from shaft 25 through the friction clutch consisting of friction discs 28 and 4!. Selectable'bar 43 is operated only momentarily and upon its restoration by the action of bail 53, bell crank lever 50 will be rotated by its spring 49 to bring projection 5| into the path of shoulder 52 on stop disc 31 for arresting its rotation after it has completed one cycle or in this case a revolution, during which cams 24, 39, and 40 will perform their respective functions.

Likewise in the case of selectable bar 44, its pin 55 when the bar 44 is operated due to the permuted setting of permutation bars 46, will cause the rotation of bell crank lever 56 and thus release stop disc 29 for vrotation. Inasmuch as power is communicated continuously from shaft 25 to stop disc 29 and its other associated cams through friction discs 21 and 33, stop disc 29 as well as cams 23, 3!, and 32 will be rotated to perform their respective functions.

'During the rotation of cams 23 and 24, rollers 29 and 2| individual to the respective cams will be engaged, depending upon the position of lever l8 which will be operated to change its position in accordance with the particular cam effective, and which will be held in such position by the action of jockey 22. Consequent movement of lever IE will cause movement of bar ll and in turn pivoted lever It for operating correspondingly duplex rail l4. If a signal is received, assuming'a roman signal corresponds to the lower rail position and a bold signal is identified with the upper rail position, cam 24 will be rocked counterclockwise and the rail M will be retracted a bold signal, cam 23 is released, lever M will be rocked clockwise, and rail M will be moved to. its

right-hand position. Under such conditions of operation, the position of duplex rail l4 and the level at which matrices are assembled. will be determined. For'example, with the duplex rail i l in its left-hand position, the matrices will be assembled at the lower level, whereas with the duplex rail i lin its righthand position, the matrices will be assembled thereon or atthe upper level. f r

As noted in the foregoing description, cams" 39 and 411 rotate with stop disc 31. Likewise, came 3! and 32 rotate with stop disc 255 when their re spective bell crank levers 5i! and 56 are operated by their associated selectable bars 33 and M. Gain 39 has its projection in rotative alignment with a projection formed on the underside of a pivoted lever 53 which acts as a latch for pivoted arm 59 designed to be operated by cam til. Pivoted arm 59 controls a set of contacts 69 included in the energizing circuit of an electromagnet 6!. When contacts 56 are closed, the circuit of the electromagnet 6| is completed and the magnet during the period in which contacts 60 are closed will be energized. Opening of contacts 64 occurs when the apex of cam 45 engages a projection on pivoted arm 59, which will Ml are positioned on sleeve 58 relative to each other in a manner to time the operation of contacts iii). For example, contacts be will be held open fora period dependent upon the spacing between the apexes of cams 39 and an, However, the period the contacts are open will depend largely on the character of the typographical machine with which the control unit is associated and the type and size of the matrices.

Electromagnet 6! acts as, a control magnet-in accordance with the disclosure of the cited patent for controlling the effectiveness of the record reader. vWhen theelectrornagnet 5i. is 'ener.- gized, the record reader is in operative condition,

whereas with the electromagnet deenergized, op-

eration of the record reader is suspended during the period of such deenergization. 7

Like cams 39 and til, cams 3i and which rotate in timed relation to stop disc 29, are of fective to operate a pivoted lever 62 and a pivoted arm 63 respectively. Pivoted arm 63 controls a set contacts 64 included in a series circuit with contacts fill. Consequently, either contacts Si! or M serve to control the deenergization of electromagnet ti. Such contacts, of course, will be controlled by their respective cams as a result of their rotation through the release'of the stop disc individual thereto; that is, usually one set of cams will be rotated while the other setof cams is idle. Under certain conditions, both sets of cams may be rotating at the, same time as a result of their releasev before the other set has completed its revolution. Due to 'thefact that one set of cams can start to rotate before the other set has completed its cycle, it is possible to set a single bold-face character between, two roman characters within the time occupied by the signals; I V

Fig. 6 discloses a modification oi the control arrangement for the stop discs shown in Fig. 2, wherein they are released as a result of the energization of an electroinagnet individual thereto, such as electromagnet 6T. Each of the S6 ing material which is designed to engage a set of contacts such as 68 upon the operation of the selectable bar to which the pin is secured. When pin 68 engages itsset of contacts; for example 69, an energizing circuit is completed for the electromagnet Bl individual thereto which, upon being energized, attracts its armature free of the stop projection on stop disc 3? and thus releases the disc, together with its associated cams, for rotation in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the mechanical operation, of bell crank lever 50. -A similar condition prevails for each of bars 3 and M.

. Operation Assume, for the purpose of further explanation of the structure disclosed in Figs. 1-5, that matrices are being assembled at the lower level which will occur with the duplex rail it in its left-hand position as in the illustration and that it is desired to assemble subsequently discharged matrices at the upper level or on the duplex rail l4. bars 46 will be positioned to select for operation selectable bar 14. Upon the operation of selectable bar 44, its pin 55 engages bell crank lever 56, causing it to be moved to a position to free stop disc 29. Stop disc 29 normally tending to rotate by power communicated from continuously rotating shaft 25 through friction discs 2? and 33 will thereupon be rotated and since cams 23, 3!, and 32 are rotated therewith, will likewise be rotated. Through the rotation of cam 23, roller 2i will be engaged and lever l8 will be rocked about its pivot l9, lever il will be raised, and pivoted lever it will be rotated about its pivot l5 for moving duplex rail :4 against the action of spring [3 to its right-hand position or to a position to cause subsequently released matrices to be assembled thereon or at the upper level of assembly.

Highly significant is the fact that cam 23 is adjusted with respect to roller 2! such as to reg ulate the operation of pivoted lever H8 in timed relationto the discharge of previously released matrices which areto be assembled at the lower level, such that the duplex rail it will asssume its right-hand position during the interim between the assembly of the last at the lower level and the assembly of the immediately succeeding matrix which is to be assembled at the upper level. Under such conditions of operation it is not necessary to arrest the record reader, but with such an embodiment, the record reader continues to function uninterruptedly, the per mutation bars at will be set successivelyin acccrdance with the perforations in the control tape, and the matrices will likewise be released uninterruptedly.

Thus there is effected a composition qualifying operation which is designed to intervene between a definite and predetermined pair of matrices during their transit from th storage magazine to the ingress end of the assembler, by accuratelyanticipating the instant at which said pair of matrices reach their destination in the assembler and timing the execution of said qualify ing or matrix rout ng operation (the rail shift so that it occurs in flight and without having to interrupt appreciablly the continuous flow of the matrices.

With the duplex rail iii in its right-hand position and desiring to return it to its leit-hand position for the assembly of matrices at the lower lectable bars 43 and 44 carriesa pin 68 of insulat-i Under such circumstances the permutation level, the permutation. bars 46 will be set in a manner to select and eiiect the operation of selectable bar 43. Selectable bar 43 in operating, causes its pin 58, to rotate bell crank lever 5|] against the action of spring ls to move projection 51 free of stop shoulder 52 on stop disc 31.

Stop disc 3'5 will now rotate by power communicated thereto from shaft 25 through friction discs 28 and 4!. Cams 24, 39, and 49 will thus be rotated to perform their respective functions.

Conditions prevailing in typographical ma chines to which the present invention may be applied might possibly be such as to require a momentary interruption in the operation of the record. reader. In order to take care of such a condition and to increase thereby the margin of operation, cams iii, 32, 39, and 49 are provided. Cams 3! and ll serve to open contacts 60 and 64 respectively and cause the deenergization of electromagnet 66, which will thus arrest the operation of the record reader. The operation of the record reader, however, is arrested only momentarily, for earns 32 and 39 function through pivoted levers 62 and 58 respectively to release contact arms 63 and 59 respectively to cause the closure of the associated contacts. The period during which the contacts are open and thus the period during which the record reader is arrested may, of course, be governed by the position of cam 32 with respect to cam 3| and likewise the position of earn 3% with respect to cam 49. Under such conditions of operation it may be necessary to interrupt the operation of the record reader for only a very small interval of time, whereas under other conditions of operation, such period of interruption may be considerably longer.

In accordance with the disclosure of the foregoing copending application, when electromagnet BI is deenergized, its armature 1!] is moved to a position to move pivoted arm H, which cooperates with stop lug 12 on shaft 13 to a position for causing the arresting of such shaft. Through such action the operation of the record reader is arrested. Specifically, when electromagnet 6! is deenergized as the result of the opening of either contacts 69 or 6 5, pivoted arm II will be cammed into a position wherein the aperture therein lies in the path of the stop projection on shaft '13. When the stop projection engages the wall of such aperture, shaft 13 is arrested, it of course being understood that shaft 13 is rotated by power communicated thereto from a continuously rotating shaft through a suitable friction clutch. When shaft E3 is arrested, the advancement of the perforated strip for controlling the setting of the permutation bars 46 is discontinued temporarily until electromagnet 6! isagain energized upon the closure of either contact 60 or E l as a result of the operation of latch members 58 and 62.

Under certain conditions of operation, it will be found desirable to maintain electromagnet 6i energized continuously, for under such circumstances it is not desired to arrest the operation of the record readerv For example, under certain conditions it is not necessary to provide extra time for settling of the matrices and for other purposes, and under such conditions the record reader can run continuously. Switch 65 will be closed, completing an energizing circuit for electromagnet 66 independently of contacts 69 and iii. Consequently, even though contacts 60 and. 64 may be open in consequence of the action of their associated arms 59 and 63, start control electromagnet Si is maintained energized.

Another embodiment Referring now to Figs. 7-9 which disclose an embodiment of the invention as applied to a control unit of the construction disclosed in copending application Serial No. 600,606, filed March 23, 1932, numeral 80 indicates generally the record reader. The record reader as more fully exemplified in the cited copending application of H. L. Krum et a1., includes a plurality of sensing fingers or levers 8| arranged to be operated in accordance with transverse rows of perforations or control indicia appearing in a record strip 82 which has been prepared previously in accordance with the matter to be composed through the automatic operation of the linecasting and composing machine. The perforated strip 82 is advanced step by step through the cooperation of a pin wheel 83 with the feed perforations in the strip 82. Stepby-step rotation of wheel 83 is accomplished by the corresponding movement of a ratchet wheel 84 secured to shaft 85, to which pin wheel 83 is secured. Cooperating with ratchet wheel 86 is a stepping pawl 86 carried by one end of a pivoted operating lever 8'! which carries at its opposite end a roller 88. Roller 88 cooperates with a cam 89 formed to cause the rotation of lever 8'! to cause pawl 86 for each cycle of rotation to engage the next succeeding tooth of ratchet wheel 84 and cause the advancement of such ratchet wheel together with pin wheel 83 a distance determined by the distancebetween succeeding teeth, and thus cause the advancement of strip 82 to present the next transverse row of perforations in alignment with the tape sensing pins 8i. Thus for each rotation of cam 89, ratchet wheel 84 will be rotated through a distance determined by the spacing between its teeth for causing a corresponding rotation of pin wheel 83.

Tape sensing fingers Bl are pivotally supported on a rod 90 and are arranged to be moved to bring the pins carried thereby free of strip 82 by a bail 9| carried by a bell crank lever 92. Bell crank lever 92 also carries a follower roller which engages a cam 93 mounted on shaft 94. Cams 89 and 93 are positioned with respect to each other on shaft 94 in a manner to perform their respective functions in proper timed relation.

There is also secured to shaft 94 a cam 85 which operates on a lever 96 through a cam follower roller 91 to raise, in timed relation to the operation of the tape sensing fingers or levers 8|, a pluralityof transfer levers 98. Transfer levers 98 cooperate, as is more fully described in the Krum et a1. applicaiton, with depending portions of the sensing levers 8| 7 to cause, through connecting members 99, the permuted setting of permutation bars I00. Permutation bars I00 will thus be set through the operation of the transfer levers 98 in accordance with the setting of the tape sensing levers 8| which will be positioned in accordance with the perforations appearing in the control strip 82.

The permutation bars I00 have their upper and lower edges notched. When the notches therein are aligned opposite one of a plurality of selectable bars I05, it will be selected for operation. The selection and operation of a bar such as I05 will cause the performance of a function of the linecasting and composing machine to which such bar is allocated. For example, cer tain of the bars 15 are allocated to the release of matrices, whereas other bars are assigned to the performance of auxiliary functions of the linecasting and composing machine; that is, certain of the bars I05, specifically bars I40 and MI,

are assigned to the performance of duplex rail operation.

In Fig. 7, a portion of an assembler elevator I06 is disclosed. Slidably mounted in the elevator I06 is a duplex rail I01, which has two projections I08 and I09. To projection I08 :1.

spring H0 is attach-ed for returning the duplex rail I01 to its normal or unactuated position. Of course, the other end of spring H0 is secured to a spring post in the elevator I00.

The duplex rail I01 may be moved against the action of spring ill! to its right-hand position as viewed in Fig. 7, wherein the matrices will be assembled thereon or at theupper level of assembly by therotation of bell crank lever II I, which has oneend in engagement with projece tion I09 formed on the duplex rail I01, and which has its other end attached to one end of a link II2. The opposite end of link H2 is slottedto receive a pin H3 carried by a T-shaped lever H4. Secured to pin H3 is a spring II6 which hasits other end secured to a pin II? mounted on link II2. T-shaped lever II4 has its other extremities secured to a pair of links H8 and H9 which form a parallelogram assembly I20.

Movement ofthe links H8 and H9 as is fully described in the Krum et al. application, may also be effected through a hand-operated lever I2I. However, such operation does not form a part of the present invention'and further, description thereof is notbeing includedhere.

Cooperating with links I I8 and I I9 is a memberl25 pivoted on ashaft I26 and arranged with lugs I21 and I28, which engage the end of v links H8 and H9 respectively. MemberI25 is also arranged with a depending portion I29 which cooperates with a pivoted detent lever I30 whereby it is held in its set position. Secured to member I25 is a reed spring I 32through which the member I25 is moved when detent I30 is operated by instrumentalities to be later described, whereby either link H8 or H9 will be operated for causing a corresponding operation of the duplex rail I0! through link H2 and bell crank lever III.

Pivoted on shaft I26 is a member I33 provided with arms I34, I35, I36, and I31, and'a projection I39. Arms I34 and I35 cooperate with opposite ends of reed spring I32. Arm I 36 lies in the path of the upturned end of a selectable bar I40 included in the group of selectable bars I05. Like arm I36, arm I31 of member I25 lies in the path of a projection on selectable bar I M. Selectable bars I40 and MI are assigned to the two rail shift operations; that is, selectable bar I40 when selected and operated, will shift the duplex rail through the mechanism just described to its right-hand position wherein the matrices will be assembled thereon at the upper llevel. Selectable bar I4I serves tov control. the restorationof theduplex rail I01 to its left-hand position or the positiondisclosed in Fig.7.

The selection of. selectable bars I40 and MI is determin'edby the permutedisetting of the permutation bars I00 in accordance with the perforations in the control strip 82. If the control strip 82 bears perforations assigned to the opera- .tion of the duplex rail either to its leftor its which is secured on shaft 500.

manner of selecting and operating the bars I40 and I4I is fully and completely disclosed in the Krum et al. application referred to and for a more complete understanding of such operation, reference should be made to such application.

The selectable bars I40 and M! will be immediately selected upon the alignment of the notches in the permutation bars E90 assigned thereto and upon their operation through arms I34, I35, I36, and I3l, the reed spring I32 will be flexed in a direction dependent upon the particular selectable bar operated, and member I33 will be rotated about shaft I20 in which position it will he held by the engagement of detent I38 with projection I39. Member I25, however, will not be operated immediately, since detent I30 continues to press against projection I29.

The operation of detent I30 is controlled by a bar !95 having at one end an extension I40 formed with, a cam surface to engage an arm I4! carried by rod I48 towhich detent I30 is secured. When arm I4? is rotated by the action of the cam surface of extension I40, detent I30 will likewise be rotated and member H25 will be freed for action by the energy stored in reed spring I32 as a result of the operation of either selectable bar I40 or I4l.

Included in the group of transfer bails 90 is a transfer bail I50 which is individual to member I5I operatively associated with bar E45. Also individual to transfer bail P50 is a member I52 pivoted'onrod 90 and operated/by bail 9| upon the operation of bell crank lever 92. Member i52, however, is not arranged to sense, as is true of levers 8i, perforations the strip 82.

The upper edges of bar 98 are notched as at aligned, a bail I54 secured to a lever I55 drops therein under the action of a spring I56 which has one end secured to lever B55 and its other endrsecured to the frame of the control unit. When the permutation bars i00 are set in accordance with either duplex rail operation, the notch I53 in each of the bars 99 is aligned and ball I54 falls therein under the action of spring Hi5, whereupon lever I55is rotated about its pivot I51 sufiiciently to cause lever E59 to be rotated against the action of spring $53. By the proper arrangement of the signal codes for the respective rail shift operation, the notches in the bars will be aligned for each such signal and hail i54 consequently will be operated on each rail shift signal.

Lever I59, with lever E55 in its normal or unactuated position, engages the lower end of a stepping pawl !00 which is constantly under the tension of a, spring Ifil but which is held against the action of such spring by lever l59. However, when lever N59 is operated against the tension of its spring i58, pawl M30 is released and its spring liii causes it to move sufficiently far to bring its tooth intoengagement with ratchet wheel I05 Stepping pawl I00 is pivoted on and movable with lever 81 operated by cam 89."

Stepping pawl N50 is designed to engage the teeth of ratchet wheel I65 which will be rotated step by step for each cycle of rotation of cam 89 through pawl I00, and thus in timed relation with the step-by-step advancement of the strip 82. Also secured to shaft IE6 is a ratchet wheel it? which is engaged by a projection formed on a holding pawl I53 to hold the shaft I65 and the 153. When the notch in each of the bars is I ratchet wheel E35 in its advanced position during a position, as viewed in Fig. 8.

Ratchet wheel I 65 carriesapin I 68 which, upon its rotation, engages depending portion I1I of member I12 pivotally mounted on shaft I66. Member 12 has an arm I14 in which is secured an adjustable screw I15. Screw I15 when member E12 is rotated as a result'of the engagement of pin I66 with depending portion I1I, moves member I52 so that one of its legs I16 lies in the path of upturned end of transfer member I50 which, as previously described, is individual to bar- I5I.

With member I52 moved in, the manner described, bar I5I, which is connected to bar I45, will, upon the next following operation of transfer bail l50 through bell crank lever 96 which is operated by cam 95, be moved to the right as viewed in Fig. '7. Such movement of bar I5I performs three functions; namely, the disassociation of pawl- I60 with ratchet wheel I66, the removal of pawl 63 from ratchet wheel I61, and the operation of detent I36. The movement of stepping pawl I66 free of ratchet wheel I65 is accomplished by projection I18 on one end of bar I5I, which engages the lower end of member I60 which is moved about its pivot and against the action of spring I6! out of engagement with stepping ratchet wheel I65 and which, in its movement, engages projection I62 carried by holding pawl I63. Holding pawl I63 is thus moved free of ratchet wheel I61 against the action of spring 513. Further rotation of ratchet wheel I65 regardless of the operation of arm 81 cyclically by cam 8:3" and the movement of pawl I 60 is prevented under such conditions. The removal of holding pawl I63 and stepping pawl I60 from engagement with their respective ratchet wheels permits the restoration of such ratchet wheels to their normal or staring position under the action of a spring not shown.

Through bar I55 bar I45 is moved to the right as viewed in F'g. '1, and carries with it extension member I46. Through the movement of extension member I46, lever I41 is operated to rotate detent 939 free of projection I29 on member I25 and thus allow the energy stored in reed spring 32 to be exerted on member I25 for rotating it about shaft I26. Such rotation will cause the movement of either levers H8 or H9 and a corres ending rotation of T-shaped lever I I4 which, through link IIE, will cause the rotation of bell crank lever Hi to move duplex rail I01 from its former position to the position determined by the operation of either selectable bar I40 or I4I. Of course, as described in the previously referred to Krum et 2.1. application, the duplex rail 61 wll be retained in its set position due to the detent action on lever I 2I.

Operation Let it be assumed, in connection with the description of the operation of the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, that the duplex rail I61 is in its left-hand position asviewed in Fig. 7, and that it is desired to assemble subsequently released matrices at the upper level or on the duplex rail I61. Under such conditions of operation, the permutation bars 160 will have been operated previously to select and control the operation of selectable bars I65 through which the release of matrices to be assembled at the lower level is controlled. Following the last group of perforations in tape 82 identified with the last matrix to be assembled in the elevator 56 at the lower level, a transverse row of perforations identified with the rail shift operation spring I32.

of projection E29 on member I25.

appears in the control tape 82. Transverse rows of perforations appearing after the transverse row of perforations identified with the rail shift signal being identified with matrices to be assembled at the upper level or on the duplex rail I01, the duplex rail must be operated at an instant just. prior to the time at which the first matrix is to be assembled at the upper level but subsequent to the time of assembly of the matrix at the lower level preceding the rail shift operation. It is also desirable to accomplish such operation without arresting the advancement of the perforated control strip 82. The structure disclosed in Figs. '7, 8, and 9 achieves such a result.

When the bars 99 are set in response to the sensing of the transverse row of perforations in tape 82 identified with the duplex rail operation, permutation bars I00 will be set to align the notches therein for the selection of selectable bar MI and the consequent operation of the duplex rail I01 to its right-hand position to receive the subsequently released matrices. The notch I53 in each of the bars 99 will be aligned and ball I54 will be depressed by the action of its spring I56. Arm I55 will operate pivoted lever I59 against the action of its spring I58, which will be moved free of the lower end of stepping pawl I60 or to the position shown in Fig. 8. Few] I 60 is thereupon moved by the action of its spring I 6 I to a position where its projection engages ratchet wheel I65. Holding pawl I 63, as previously described, cooperates with ratchet wheel I 61 which is mounted on the same shaft as ratchet wheel I65 to hold the ratchet wheels in their advanced position, and thus simultaneously with the noted movement of pawl I60, the restraint against the action of spring I13is removed and pawl I63 will be caused to engage ratchet wheel I61.

With stepping pawl I60 cooperating with ratchet wheel I65, the latter will be advanced a distance of one tooth for each cycle of rotation ofcam 89 through the action of lever 81. Pin I68, carried by ratchet wheel I65, will engage portion I1I of member I12 shortly after the operation of bail 54 and before the next subsequent transverse row of perforations is sensed, for causing screw I15 to operate member I52 and move its leg- I16 into the path of transfer arm I50. Upon the operation of-the transfer arm I50, bar 'I5I will be moved to the right as viewed in Fig; '1, for movingbar I45 and rotating pawls I60 and I63 out of cooperative-relation with ratchet wheels I65 and I 61, whereupon the ratchet wheels are restored to their normal or starting position by the. action of a springnot shown. Likewise, bail I54 will be restored to its normal position and pivoted lever I59 willassume its normal positionwhere it holds pawl'I60 out of engagement with ratchet wheel -I65, and through projection I62 on pawl I 63 the latter pawl is held out of engagement with ratchet wheel I61.

The selection and operation of selectable bar I M causes the rotationof member I33 and the flexing through arm I35of the lower end of reed Member I33, together with the reed spring I32, is held in its set position by the action of detent I39 on projection I38. Movement of member I25, however, cannot be effected at that'instant clue to the. action of detent I30. However, through the movement of bar I45 to the right as viewed in Fig. 7, extension I46 cooperates with arm I41, causing the rotation of shaft I48 and the movement of detent I30 free Under such conditions, member I25 is moved immediately, due to the energy stored in reed spring I32 which is also suflicient to overcome the action of the jockey cooperating with lever I2I, and thereupon through projection I28, lever H8 is operated'and the duplex rail i0! is moved to the right against the actionof spring IIEI, which will occur at an instant following'the assembly of the last preceding matrix at the lower level and prior to the arrival of the next succeeding matrix.

Highly significant in the operation of the du- 'plex rail in accordance with the preceding description is the fact that the selectable bar I40 or MI will be selected during a cycle of operation of cam 89 and will operate member I33 preparatory to the operation of member I25, and further that the operation of memberltil occurs during a succeeding cycle of operation of cam 95 or the cycle of operation identified with the third transverse row of perforations appearing after the transverse row of perforations identified with the shift operation of the duplex rail. It is thus apparent that by conditioning the mechanism through which the duplex rail is operated during one cycle and effecting its operation during a subsequent cycle, the previously discharged matrices will have sufiicient time to be assembled at the lower level prior to shifting the duplex rail Bill to a position to receive the released matrices. Noted further is the fact that two signal periods have been found sufficient to allow all previously released matrices to be asembled in the elevator prior to shifting the rail. Consequently, the ratchet and pawl mechanism is designed to develop such condition without arresting the record reader to. When the rail signal is presented, the ratchet and pawl mechanism I65 and ISO operates and the tape sensing fingers continue to sense the tape to set the permutation bars I00. In theinterim between the second and third row 'of perforations following the row identified with the rail operation bar I5! will be operated and detent Itfi rocked about its pivot to allow spring I32 to act and move the duplex rail I01. Such movement will occur just prior to the time the matrix identified with the row of perforations immediately following the row for the rail shift signal reaches the assembler elevator which is to be assembled at the new level. Of course, too, the matrices preceding the rail shift signal will haveample time to reach the assembler elevator prior to shifting the rail due to the signal period for the rail shift during which no matrices will be released.

Although the invention has been disclosed and described with reference to a particular type of mechanism, it is, of course, obvious that vari ous departures and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope. of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing auxiliary functions, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said duplex rail comprising a member operative upon the operation of one of said selectable bars, means for holding said member in its operated position, and means responsive after a predetermined time interval following the operation of theselectable bar for utilizing the action of said memher to effect the corresponding movement of said duplex rail.

2. In a linecasting and composing machine, a

control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing auxiliary functions, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said duplex rail comprising a member operative upon the operation of one of said selectable bars, means for holding said member in its operated position, and means responsive after a predetermined time interval following the operation of the selectable bar and after the operation of another selectable bar for utilizing the actuation of said member to effect the corresponding movement of the duplex rail.

3-. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing auxiliary functions, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism responsive to the oper-- ation of said bars allotted to the operation of said duplex rail, and means controlled by said mecha nism during the setting of the elements for the selection and operation of other selectable bars matrices are to be assembled and mechanism r;

controlled by certain of said bars for operating said duplex rail including means conditioned for operation :during the continued setting of said elements for the selection and operation of other selectable bars.

v 5. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements settable permutably in accordance with predetermined conditions, selectable bars responsive to the setting of said elements for controlling the performance of functions of the linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled, mechanism controlled by certain of said bars for operating said duplex rail including means conditioned for operation during the continued setting of said elements, and means for operating the duplex rail during the interim of operation of selectable members identified with other functions.

6. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements settable permutably in accordance with predetermin'ed conditions, selectable bars responsive to the setting of said elements for controlling the performance of functions of the linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled, mechanism for operating said duplex rail comprising a member operated upon the operation of one of said selectable bars, means for retaining said member in its operated position preparatory to operating said mechanism, means selected upon the selection of saidselectable bar identified with said member, and means controlled by said last mentioned means for utilizing the setting of 7 said member to actuate said duplex rail operating mechanism. 7

7. In a linecasting and composing machine, a

iii)

control. unit including a plurality of elements settable permutably in accordance with predetermined conditions, selectable bars responsive to the setting of said elements for controlling the performance of functions of the linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled in said elevator, mechanism for operating said duplex rail comprising a member operated upon the operation of one of said selectable bars and-retained in its operative position preparatory to operating said mechanism, means selected upon the selection of said selectable member identified with said member, a ratchet and pawl mechanism rendered effective by said last mentioned means, and means operated through the action of said ratchet and said pawl mechanism for utilizing the setting of said member to actuate said duplex rail operating mechanism.

8. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing functions of the linecasting and composing machine with certain bars allotted to auxiliary functions thereof, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said rail including a lever through the action of which the rail is shifted, a cam for each of the two positions of the rail, and means responsive to the operation of certain of said bars for applying power to said cams individually whereby said lever is operated.

9. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing functions of the linecasting and composing machine with certain bars allotted to auxiliary functions thereof, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said rail including a lever through the action of which the rail is shifted, a cam for each of the two positions of the rail, means responsive to the operation of certain of said bars for applying power to said cams individually whereby said lever is operated, and means operative with said cams for momentarily suspending the setting of the permutation elements. 7

10. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing functions of the linecasting and composing machine with certain bars allotted to auxiliary functions thereof, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said rail including a lever through the action of which the rail is shifted, a cam for each of the two positions of the rail, means responsive to'the operation of certain of said bars for applying power to said cams individually whereby said lever is operated, an electrical circuit, and means operative with said cams for controlling said circuit to suspend momentarily the setting of the permutation elements.

11. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements arranged to be set permutably, selectable bars controlled by said elements for performing functions of the linecasting and composing machine with certain bars allotted to auxiliary functions thereof, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for operating said rail including a lever through tha action. of which the rail is shifted, a cam for each of the two positions of the rail, means responsive to the operation of certain of said bars for applying power to said cams individually whereby said lever is operated, an electrical circuit, a contact arm therefor, and means for operating said arm to open said circuit and thereafter release said arm to close said circuit whereby the setting of the permutation elements is momentarily suspended.

12. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements settable permutably in acordance with predetermined conditions, selectable bars responsive to the setting of said elements for controlling the performance of functions of the linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled, mechanism for operating saidduplex rail including a member set immediately in response to the operation of one of said selectable bars, means for holding said member in its set position, and means operated after the lapse of a predetermined time interval for releasing said member whereby said duplex rail is operated accordingly.

13. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements settable permutably in accordance with predetermined conditions, selectable bars responsive to the setting of said elements for controlling the performance of functions of the linecasting and composing machine, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein for determining the level at which matrices are to be assembled, mechanism for operating said duplex rail including a pair of links, a member comprising a reed spring set immediately in response to the operation of either of two of said selectable bars and retained in said position, and means operated after the lapse of a predetermined time interval for releasing said member and rendering said spring effective to operate one of said links and thus the duplex rail while the elements are being set permutably.

14. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements, selectable bars controled by said elements for performing auxiliary functions, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail, means for operating said duplex rail comprising a member operative upon the operation of one of said'selectable bars, means for holding said member in its operated position, and means responsive after a predetermined time interval following the operation of the selectable bar for utilizing the action of said member to efiect the corresponding movement of said duplex rail.

15. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a plurality of elements, selectable means controlled by said elements for performing auxiliary functions, an assembler elevator, a duplex rail therein, mechanism responsive to the operation of said means allotted to the operation of said duplex rail, and means controlled by said mechanism during the setting of the elements for shifting said duplex rail.

16. In a line composing machine, a matrix assembler, a duplex rail therein having two positions, mechanism to move said rail to either of its positions, means responsive to one control signal of a sequence to release a matrix intended for one position of the rail, means responsive to a succeeding code signal of said sequence to condition the rail shift mechanism for operation preparatory to shifting it to its other position, and

.CTl

means to operate said conditioning means after said matrix is received by said assembler.

17. In a line composing machine, an assembler, a duplex rail therein having two positions, means to release matrices at substantially uniform intervals for assembly in said assembler, mechanism for shiftingsaid rail means to condition said means for operation during an interval between the release of successive matrices, and means operated by said conditioned means after the assembly of the matrix released immediately 7 prior to the actuation of the mechanism condinism and the corresponding operation of the dutioning means and before the assembly of the matrix released during the interval immediately following the actuation of the mechanism conditioning means.

18. In a line composing machine, an assembler, a duplex rail therein having two positions, mechanism for shifting the rail means to condition the mechanism for operation, means eifec- ,tive after the operation of the conditioning means for operating said mechanism, means to release matrices during the interval of conditioning an operation of the shifting mechanism, and means to coordinate the operation of the shift mechanism and the arrival of the matrix at the assembler.

19. In a line composing machine, a sensing device controled by a control strip, a matrix assem- I bler, a duplex rail therein, mechanism for shifting said rail in acordance with a condition sensed by. said device, means to interrupt the operation of the sensing device following the sensing of a rail shift condition, means for regulating the interval between sensing the rail shift condition and the interruption of the .sensing device, and means to regulate the duration of the interruption interval of the sensing device.

20. In a line composing machine, an assembler, a duplex rail therein, power operated shift mechanism for shifting the rail in one direction,

a second power operated mechanism for shifting the rail in the reverse direction, and timing means carried by each mechanism to regulate the delay between the release of the power operated mechaplex rail.

21. In a line composing machine, a signal supervised control unit for directing matrix release functions and matrix routing functions including a selector, a plurality of control elements indi- H vidually conditionable by said selector, matrix release mechanism under the control of certain of said elements, matrix routing mechanism under the control of others of said elements, and means for timing the performance of said matrix routing mechanism including a device initiated by said others of said elements and effective during the operation of said matrix release mechanism after the lapseof a time interval corresponding to the transit time of said matrices from their point of release to a point of routing determination.

22. In an automatic control system, the method of performing a delayed supervision automatically upon a succession of moving elements in transit without suspending the progress of said succession which comprises the procedureof initiating a timing agency following the instant at which an element is introduced into said succession, tolling a time interval corresponding to the time interval occupied by said element in transit from the point of its introduction into the succession to a predetermined point at which said qualifying supervision is to be established, and executing said supervision during the movement of said succession under the control of said timing agency upon its attainment of said predetermined point. 1

23. In a system of automatic composition, a control unit comprising a selector mechanism and a plurality of selectable composition and supervision elements, a magazine for storing a plulease in said magazine to a predetermined point of routing determination.

24. In an automatic control system, the method of performing a delayed supervision automatically upon a succession of moving elements during their transit and retaining the sequence characteristics of said succession, which comprises the procedure of initiating a timing agency following the instant at which an element is introduced into said succession, relaying for a measured time interval corresponding to the period occupied by said element during its transit from.

the point of its introduction into said succession to a point at which a qualifying supervision is to be established, and executing said supervision under the control of said timing agency at an instant when said element is approaching said last mentioned point.

25. An automatic control apparatus for assembly and composition comprising a storage record sensing mechanism, a plurality of composition elements under the supervision of said record sensing mechanism,'a routing mechanism for directing composition assembly means for moving a storage record through said sensing mecha, nism at a regular periodicity, a timing agency for actuating said routing mechanism, and means responsive to certain signals in said storage record for initiating said timing agency to actuate said routing mechanism during the continued operation of said record moving means and following the lapse of a predetermined time interval.

LOUIS M. Po'rrs.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,102,127. December 11+, 1957.

LOUIS M. POTTS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6, first column, line 58, for "staring read starting; page 9, second column, line 1 1, claim 2+, for the word "relaying" read delaying; and that the said Let' ters Patent should be readwith these corrections therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of March, A. D. 1958.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

